Khan sentenced indefinitely for father’s sword attack

Abdul Khan, a 27-year-old man, has been locked up indefinitely after killing his neighbor, Bohdan Vandzhura, in a sword attack in July 2023. Vandzhura, a devoted father of two, was attacked while on his way to work. Khan stabbed him 39 times in a quick assault, while he was experiencing severe mental health issues. Earlier attacks by Khan on another man, Santa Shrestha, were mentioned during the trial. Shrestha suffered two random assaults from Khan in 2022 but did not report him to the police because he couldn't remember the attacks. Khan was sectioned under the Mental Health Act months before the fatal incident but was released after a short time. In court, Khan admitted to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and was found guilty of attempting to murder Shrestha. At sentencing, Judge Lynn Tayton KC expressed the profound impact Vandzhura's death had on his family, particularly his wife and two children. Khan's father, Khalid Khan, was also sentenced to four years in prison for helping his son hide evidence of the crime. The judge noted that despite Khan's mental state, Shrestha had done nothing wrong and now lives in fear due to the attacks. A psychiatrist described Khan as one of the most severely mentally ill patients he had treated, emphasizing the need to keep him detained to prevent further violence.